MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to Psychology

Course: PSY101

First Term: 2022 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Overview of the study and methods of psychological science. Includes an introduction to subfields such as biopsychology, learning, memory, development, social, and psychological disorders.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the scientific method and how it is used to answer psychological questions about human thought and behavior. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII) 2. Distinguish between the science of psychology and parapsychological, pseudoscientific, or popular representations of psychology that fall outside the scope of science. (I) 3. Critically evaluate information to help make evidence-based decisions. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII) 4. Apply biopsychosocial principles to real world situations. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII) 5. Use psychological principles to explain the diversity and complexity of the human experience. (I, II, III, IV, V, VI,VII) 6. Identify brain structures and how neuroscientific processes play a role in human thought and behavior. (II, III) 7. Describe basic principles of consciousness, sensation, and perception. (II,VII) 8. Define personality and identify some of the fundamental debates in the study of personality, including the person–situation debate. (II, IV) 9. Recognize and define three basic forms of learning: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and observational learning. (III) 10. Describe cognitive processes including those related to learning, language, and intelligence. (III, IV) 11. Analyze and explain how motivation and emotion affect, and are affected by, human behavior (IV, VII) 12. Demonstrate an understanding of human development across the lifespan. (IV, V) 13. Identify the major categories of psychological disorders and therapeutic approaches to their treatment. (V, VI) 14. Discuss how the behavior of an individual is directly influenced by other people, groups, and social environments. (VI, VII) 15. Explain gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual functioning, and sexual behavior. (VI, VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Science of psychology A. History of psychology B. Research methods II. Biological foundations of behavior A. Brain and nervous system B. Sensation and perception C. States of consciousness III. Behavioral learning A. Classical conditioning B. Operational conditioning C. Observational learning IV. Cognitive processes A. Memory B. Language, thought, and intelligence C. Motivation and emotion V. Development and individual differences A. Human development B. Personality VI. Psychological health A. Health psychology B. Psychological disorders C. Therapeutic approaches VII. Social identities and interaction with others A. Interpersonal relations B. Social interactions C. Gender and sexuality D. Diversity and culture

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: June 22, 2021

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.